Oakland Police: Judge Clears Path For Possible End to Federal Oversight | KQED

Oakland Police Department has been under federal supervision since 2003 after a settlement tied to a major police corruption scandal. Plaintiffs alleged a rogue group of officers, called “the Riders,” engaged in false arrests, falsified reports, and planted evidence, along with beatings, intimidation, kidnapping, and racial discrimination that violated constitutional rights. A U.S. District Judge stated the settlement’s goal was to direct the department toward constitutional policing. The judge reported that OPD achieved each of the 51 required tasks for the first time in 23 years. The department can end court oversight if it remains compliant with the reforms through late September.

"“The goal of the [negotiated settlement agreement],” U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick said before a San Francisco federal courtroom Wednesday, “was to direct OPD to the path of constitutional policing.”"

"“This is the first time in 23 years that OPD has achieved each of the 51 tasks in the [settlement agreement],” he said. “No one can say, 'mission accomplished.' But I do congratulate the city and OPD for getting this far.”"

"OPD has been under federal supervision since 2003, when the department reached a settlement agreement stemming from a major police corruption scandal. 119 plaintiffs alleged a rogue group of OPD officers dubbed “the Riders” had engaged in false arrests, falsifying reports, and planting evidence, along with beatings, intimidation, kidnapping, and racial discrimination - violating their constitutional rights."

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